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1 / 50#50. Gambling managers
- Median annual wage: $62,580
- Median hourly wage: $30.09
- Total employment: 40 people (0.03 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Highest-paying jobs in Denver for high school graduates
A high school diploma gives graduates a leg up in the workforce, even if they don't pursue any further education.
The latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that workers over age of 25 with a high school diploma or equivalent earned about 25% more than those without one—$853 a week compared to $682. Diploma holders also faced lower unemployment rates, at 4% in 2022, compared to 5.5% for those who never completed high school.
There are many reasons high-school graduates may choose to not continue on to college—for instance, the cost. Average tuition costs continue to rise, increasing by 1% to 4% last year, depending on the institution type. While higher degrees of education typically pave the way for higher earnings, a college degree isn't necessary for many high-paying jobs. And for many careers, it doesn't make sense to pay to study for years when there are paid apprenticeship or learn-on-the-job programs.
Stacker used Bureau of Labor Statistics data to find the highest-paying jobs in Denver for those with a high school diploma or equivalent. Jobs are ranked by their annual median salaries as of May 2022. Jobs without available data for annual pay were excluded from this analysis.
Keep reading to see which jobs in your city pay high school graduates the most.
This story features data reporting and writing by Paxtyn Merten and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 366 metros.
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2 / 50#49. Media and communication workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $62,900
- Median hourly wage: $30.24
- Total employment: 160 people (0.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
3 / 50#48. Insurance sales agents
- Median annual wage: $63,310
- Median hourly wage: $30.44
- Total employment: 6,590 people (4.25 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Kitawit Jitaton // Shutterstock
4 / 50#47. Telecommunications line installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $63,360
- Median hourly wage: $30.46
- Total employment: 480 people (0.31 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
BearFotos // Shutterstock
5 / 50#46. First-line supervisors of protective service workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $63,510
- Median hourly wage: $30.54
- Total employment: 400 people (0.26 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
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Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock
6 / 50#45. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
- Median annual wage: $63,540
- Median hourly wage: $30.55
- Total employment: 4,980 people (3.21 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
Canva
7 / 50#44. Automotive body and related repairers
- Median annual wage: $63,630
- Median hourly wage: $30.59
- Total employment: 1,620 people (1.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
SritanaN // Shutterstock
8 / 50#43. Industrial machinery mechanics
- Median annual wage: $64,050
- Median hourly wage: $30.79
- Total employment: 2,320 people (1.49 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock
9 / 50#42. Private detectives and investigators
- Median annual wage: $64,220
- Median hourly wage: $30.87
- Total employment: 300 people (0.19 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
GolF2532 // Shutterstock
10 / 50#41. Security and fire alarm systems installers
- Median annual wage: $64,360
- Median hourly wage: $30.94
- Total employment: 1,630 people (1.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
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11 / 50#40. Brokerage clerks
- Median annual wage: $64,570
- Median hourly wage: $31.05
- Total employment: 270 people (0.17 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
John Leung // Shutterstock
12 / 50#39. Brickmasons and blockmasons
- Median annual wage: $64,830
- Median hourly wage: $31.17
- Total employment: 270 people (0.17 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
Pressmaster // Shutterstock
13 / 50#38. Title examiners, abstractors, and searchers
- Median annual wage: $65,010
- Median hourly wage: $31.25
- Total employment: 1,030 people (0.66 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Canva
14 / 50#37. Crane and tower operators
- Median annual wage: $65,740
- Median hourly wage: $31.61
- Total employment: 340 people (0.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Wipas Rojjanakard // Shutterstock
15 / 50#36. Occupational health and safety technicians
- Median annual wage: $66,060
- Median hourly wage: $31.76
- Total employment: 140 people (0.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
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16 / 50#35. Hearing aid specialists
- Median annual wage: $66,320
- Median hourly wage: $31.88
- Total employment: 40 people (0.03 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Canva
17 / 50#34. Construction and building inspectors
- Median annual wage: $66,740
- Median hourly wage: $32.09
- Total employment: 2,610 people (1.68 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Oleg Golovnev // Shutterstock
18 / 50#33. First-line supervisors of production and operating workers
- Median annual wage: $67,510
- Median hourly wage: $32.46
- Total employment: 4,430 people (2.85 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Olena Yakobchuk // Shutterstock
19 / 50#32. Airfield operations specialists
- Median annual wage: $67,560
- Median hourly wage: $32.48
- Total employment: Not available
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
GaudiLab // Shutterstock
20 / 50#31. First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers
- Median annual wage: $67,600
- Median hourly wage: $32.50
- Total employment: 14,930 people (9.63 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
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21 / 50#30. Legal secretaries and administrative assistants
- Median annual wage: $71,000
- Median hourly wage: $34.13
- Total employment: 1,060 people (0.69 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Stock Rocket // Shutterstock
22 / 50#29. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products
- Median annual wage: $71,960
- Median hourly wage: $34.59
- Total employment: 18,720 people (12.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
kittirat roekburi // Shutterstock
23 / 50#28. Stationary engineers and boiler operators
- Median annual wage: $72,220
- Median hourly wage: $34.72
- Total employment: 380 people (0.24 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
Paolo Bona // Shutterstock
24 / 50#27. Food service managers
- Median annual wage: $73,230
- Median hourly wage: $35.21
- Total employment: 600 people (0.39 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
Canva
25 / 50#26. Meter readers, utilities
- Median annual wage: $74,060
- Median hourly wage: $35.61
- Total employment: 70 people (0.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Short-term on-the-job training
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26 / 50#23. Rail car repairers (tie)
- Median annual wage: $74,630
- Median hourly wage: $35.88
- Total employment: 180 people (0.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
27 / 50#23. Real estate brokers (tie)
- Median annual wage: $74,630
- Median hourly wage: $35.88
- Total employment: Not available
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
28 / 50#23. Advertising sales agents (tie)
- Median annual wage: $74,630
- Median hourly wage: $35.88
- Total employment: 1,060 people (0.68 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
29 / 50#22. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
- Median annual wage: $76,550
- Median hourly wage: $36.80
- Total employment: 3,150 people (2.03 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
sculpies // Shutterstock
30 / 50#21. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
- Median annual wage: $77,370
- Median hourly wage: $37.20
- Total employment: 11,480 people (7.4 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
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31 / 50#20. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
- Median annual wage: $77,670
- Median hourly wage: $37.34
- Total employment: 6,550 people (4.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
32 / 50#19. Lodging managers
- Median annual wage: $78,030
- Median hourly wage: $37.52
- Total employment: 320 people (0.21 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Lovely Bird // Shutterstock
33 / 50#18. Power distributors and dispatchers
- Median annual wage: $78,300
- Median hourly wage: $37.65
- Total employment: 50 people (0.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
Canva
34 / 50#17. Tax preparers
- Median annual wage: $80,000
- Median hourly wage: $38.46
- Total employment: 950 people (0.61 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Canva
35 / 50#16. Transportation inspectors
- Median annual wage: $80,020
- Median hourly wage: $38.47
- Total employment: 350 people (0.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
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36 / 50#15. Gas plant operators
- Median annual wage: $82,270
- Median hourly wage: $39.55
- Total employment: 180 people (0.11 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
Canva
37 / 50#14. Sales representatives of services, except advertising, insurance, financial services, and travel
- Median annual wage: $82,450
- Median hourly wage: $39.64
- Total employment: 27,230 people (17.56 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Rebekah Zemansky // Shutterstock
38 / 50#13. First-line supervisors of correctional officers
- Median annual wage: $82,720
- Median hourly wage: $39.77
- Total employment: 240 people (0.15 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Luisa Leal Photography // Shutterstock
39 / 50#12. Electrical power-line installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $82,750
- Median hourly wage: $39.79
- Total employment: 1,320 people (0.85 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
Ken Wolter // Shutterstock
40 / 50#11. Postmasters and mail superintendents
- Median annual wage: $82,760
- Median hourly wage: $39.79
- Total employment: 40 people (0.02 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
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41 / 50#10. Real estate sales agents
- Median annual wage: $83,990
- Median hourly wage: $40.38
- Total employment: 3,920 people (2.53 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
g-stockstudio // Shutterstock
42 / 50#9. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
- Median annual wage: $91,010
- Median hourly wage: $43.76
- Total employment: 4,930 people (3.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
pio3 // Shutterstock
43 / 50#8. Police and sheriff's patrol officers
- Median annual wage: $93,160
- Median hourly wage: $44.79
- Total employment: 5,220 people (3.36 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Prath // Shutterstock
44 / 50#7. Detectives and criminal investigators
- Median annual wage: $103,000
- Median hourly wage: $49.52
- Total employment: 1,140 people (0.74 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Oil and Gas Photographer // Shutterstock
45 / 50#6. Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers
- Median annual wage: $103,520
- Median hourly wage: $49.77
- Total employment: 360 people (0.23 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
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Canva
46 / 50#5. Elevator and escalator installers and repairers
- Median annual wage: $104,640
- Median hourly wage: $50.31
- Total employment: 470 people (0.3 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Apprenticeship
michaeljung // Shutterstock
47 / 50#4. Power plant operators
- Median annual wage: $105,640
- Median hourly wage: $50.79
- Total employment: 120 people (0.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Long-term on-the-job training
Leszek Glasner // Shutterstock
48 / 50#3. Property, real estate, and community association managers
- Median annual wage: $107,620
- Median hourly wage: $51.74
- Total employment: 1,560 people (1.01 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
Canva
49 / 50#2. First-line supervisors of police and detectives
- Median annual wage: $117,660
- Median hourly wage: $56.57
- Total employment: 1,040 people (0.67 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: Moderate-term on-the-job training
goodluz // Shutterstock
50 / 50#1. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
- Median annual wage: $121,110
- Median hourly wage: $58.23
- Total employment: 950 people (0.61 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
- Required on-the-job training to attain competency: None
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